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by BillP.
Bolduc hopes to make Blues roster after impressive showing in juniors
Forward prospect had 55 goals, 99 points in QMJHL last season
by Lou Korac / NHL.com Independent Correspondent
MARYLAND HEIGHTS, Mo. -- Zachary Bolduc displayed one common trait during a week of scrimmages and team-oriented drills every time he stepped on the ice at St. Louis Blues development camp this month.
The 19-year-old center prospect demanded the puck.
It's no wonder the Blues are excited about the potential of what the first-round pick (No. 17) in the 2021 NHL Draft can bring.
"Bolduc probably doesn't want to go back to juniors, so he probably wants to push so he can have a great camp, to get [an NHL] game, to turn it into nine and hope it turns into 10," St. Louis general manager Doug Armstrong said. "There's going to be internal competition, but there are guys that we would like to talk to bringing in on lower-level contracts to give us some flexibility and some depth and fight."
Bolduc certainly showed some skill during development camp, following his 99 points (55 goals, 44 assists) in 65 games last season with Quebec of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. He tied for second in the QMJHL in goals and tied for eighth in points.
"I had a pretty good season, I'll be honest," Bolduc said. "We had also a really good team. My linemates really helped me through that year. I don't think it's a one-man show, it's more teammates and linemates.
"I think my shooting [improved]. I think the first part of my season in junior, I was a bit more ... I was too good with my teammates. I just need to play the way I should. I'm shooting, I'm skating. In the tough areas, that's where I want to build my game. I still have a big improvement to do to achieve the National [Hockey] League, but the veterans are a real good way for me to learn."
Bolduc (6-foot, 187 pounds) said his development camp experience went beyond what he did during practices and drills.
"It was a great experience to be here, meet the pros and practice with them," he said. "But for me, the biggest part was to learn off the ice the way they prepare themselves before and after the game and practice also."
Bolduc fits the bill of recent Blues draft picks who possess speed and skill at forward, in the mold of Robert Thomas, Jordan Kyrou, Jake Neighbours and Jimmy Snuggerud, selected in the first round (No. 23) of the 2022 NHL Draft.
Bolduc had an assist in his only NHL preseason game, against the Chicago Blackhawks on Oct. 1, 2021, and St. Louis is eager to see how he improves this season.
"Now it's time to get bigger and stronger and be able to do that same kind of thing at a junior level at the pro level," St. Louis director of player personnel Tim Taylor said. "There's no expectations for him to come in [and] make the team. His play will dictate that. Our expectations for him this summer are starting to get bigger and stronger."